Air-compressor.



'No. 643,9l8. Patented Feb. 20, I900.

K-. 0. B. TEXTURIUS.

AIR COMPRESSOR.

(Application filed Apr. 26, 1899.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet I.

No. 643,9l8. Patented Feb. 20, I900.

. K. 0. B. TEXTORIUS.

AIR COMPRESSOR.

(Application filed Apr. 26, 1899.)

(No Model.) v 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 EEEEIIIII m a E i 5 llllllllllllllllll ITl-urn I H we m wmm 7 4' I 61 g C No. 643,918. Patented Feb. 20, 1900.

K. 0. B. TEXTORIUS.

AIR COMPRESSOR.

(Application filed Apr. 26, 1899.)

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Shoat 3.

N0. 643,9l8. Patented Feb. 20, I900.

K. 0. B. TEXTOBIUS.

AIR COMPRESSOR.

(Application filad Apr. 26, 1899.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

WM O M i 4 Wm No. 643,9l8f Patented Feb. 20, I900.

K. 0. B. TEXTORIUS;

AIR CUMPRESSDR.

(Appfication filed Apr. 26, 1899.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets8heat 5.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

KNUT O. B. TEXTORIUS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF NINE-TWENTIETHS TO JOHN J. HOWARD, OF SAME PLACE.

AIR-COMPRESSOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent Iva-643,918, dated February20, 1900.

Application filed April 26, 1899. Serial No- 7155'71. (N model.)

To all whomt't may concern:

Be it known that I, KNUT O. B. TEXTQRIUS, a subject of the King ofSweden and Norway, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk andState of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement inAir-PowerGenerators, of which the following description, in connection with theaccompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters and numerals onthe draw- IO ings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object the production of apparatus foreconomically and rapidly compressing air or other gas designed to beutilized as an expansible motive medium I 5 in any suitable form ofengine, the apparatus being so constructed and arranged that the forceof gravity is utilized in effecting the compression of the air or othergas.

Figure 1, in front elevation and partly broken out, represents acompressing apparatus embodying my invention, the storagereservoir forthe compressed air or gas being shown at the right. Fig. 2 is a rearelevation of the upper portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1'. Fig. 2is adetail, partly in section and partly in edge elevation, of thegyratory track on which the secondary actuator travels.

Fig. 3 is a top or plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 isan enlarged vertical section, centrally broken out, of one of thecompression-cylinders and cooperating parts.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional detail on the line 00 .r, Fig. 4, to bedescribed. Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section of the common col- 3 5lecting-chamber with which the several compressing devices areconnected. Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional detail taken on the line yy, Fig. 1, looking down, to show the parts of the apparatus hidden inFig. Fig. 8 is a 0 transverse section taken on the line 00' m, Fig.

1, looking down; and Fig. 9 is a similar sectional view on the line 0000 Fig. 1.

I have herein shown the apparatus as mounted on a bed-plate or base A,which lat- '45 ter is provided with a series of upright standards orcolumns A, attached at their upper ends to a head comprising a circularplate A and a parallel ring-plate A rigidly connected and positioned byinterposed short columns or struts A, the struts being preferablylocated above and practically forming continuations of the standards A.Upturned and outwardly-extended brackets A secured to the ring-plate Aof the head, are recessed or shouldered at their upper ends to receive asecond flat ring A, larger in diameter than the plates A A as best shownin Figs. 1,

2, and 3. On the framework thus described I support a series ofcompressing members or pumps arranged in diametrically-opposite pairs,any suitable even number of such devices being used, and herein for thesake of clearness in the drawings 1 have only shown two sets or pairs,it being understood, as will hereinafter more fully appear, that theoppositely-located compressing devices are coupled or connected tooperate alternately.

At or about the center of the bed-plate or base A a receiving-chamber Bis mounted, said chamber, as best shown in Fig. 6, having an annularflange b which rests upon a supporting-plate b, any suitable packingmaterial 2 being interposed between the flange and the supporting-plate,the chamber being rigidly attached to the base in any suitable manner,as by screws 3. This chamber has a common outlet 19 and a series ofinlets b the latter being connected or coupled with the outlets of theseveral compressing devices by suitable pipes N, as will be described,the top of the chamber having two upturned interiorlythreaded bosses19*, into which are threaded short posts 12 rigidly connected at theirupper ends to a compound central column A the enlarged head a thereofbeing secured, as by screws 4, (see Fig. 8,) to the under side of theplate A Inasmuch as the several compressing devices are alike, only oneof them will be described in detail, and referring to Fig. 4 saidcompressing device comprises a hollow cylinder 0, having tightlysecure-d thereto upper and lower heads 0 0, respectively, the latterhaving an elongated depending boss 0 and provided with apertures 0communicating with the interior of the cylinder. The upper end orcylinder-head c is provided withan inlet c closed by any suitable valve0 as herein shown, normally held in operative position by a spring 5 toclose the inlet a. A piston C, provided with suitable packing c fitstightly within the cylinder, said piston having a hollow chamber 0secured to or formed on its under side, into the lower end of whichchamber is secured a tubular piston-rod 0 the latter at its lower endbeing fitted into a hollow coupling block or union o rigidly secured, asby screws 7, to the base-plate A and receiving the outer end of the pipeb communicating with the receiving-chamber B. The tubular valve-seat eis formed on the upper portion of the piston O, communicating with thechamber 0 and being entered by the triangular stemw of a valve inormally held seated by a spring 3.

In the present instance of my invention the pump-cylinder isreciprocated relatively to its piston, the latter being rigidly held inposition, as described.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be manifest that when the cylinder israised the partial "acuu m created above the piston will permit theexternal pressure of the air acting through the inlet 0 to open thevalve 0 so that the air can rush into the cylinder, and when thecylinder begins its downward stroke the air thus imprisoned will becompressed and will force the valve 0 firmly against and to close theinlet-opening. At the same time the pressure of theincreasingly-compressed air in the cylinder will unseat the valve v, sothat the air will pass into the chamber 0 and thence through the hollowpiston-rod and coupling 0" into the common receiving-chamber B.

For convenience of description the four compressing devices shown willbe designated by the reference-letters C (3 C 0 The several cylinderspass easily through holes in the plates A A and are guided thereby attheir upper ends during their reciprocation, the cylinders O 0 beingconnected or coupled together, as are the cylinders C C Each cylinder isprovided with an external ring 0 having oppositely and laterallyextended lugs or pins 0 extended into the slots (Z in the yoke-like orbifurcated ends of like rocker-arms D D extended through vertical slotsin the sectional column A and fulcrulned to said column at 8 and 10,Fig. 1. The rocker-arm D connects the cylinders O O and the rocker-arm Dthe other pair, and it will be obvious that when one cylinder of aconnected pair is raised its fellow will be lowered, and vice versa, itbeing clear from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 9 that the couplings c andhence the several compressing devices, are arranged symmetrically aboutthe central column A and equidistant therefrom.

A reservoir V, Fig. 1, is connected by a suitable pipe to with theoutlet 11' of the receiving-chamber B, said reservoir having atightly-fitting piston W, its piston-rod extending upward through asuitable stuffingbox in the top of the reservoir and having fast upon ita collar or annular flange w", upon which may be piled weights YV toobtain the desired degree of compression, the pressure within thereservoir being indicated by a suitable gage G connected with the lowerpart of the reservoir.

As the several compressing devices operate they serve to forcecompressed air into the receiving-chamber B, and when the pressure insaid chamber is sufficient to overcome the pressure of the weightedpiston W in the reservoir the latter will be raised sufiiciently toadmit an additional supply of air thereto, the reservoir-inlet beingprovided with a cheek-valve, as usual. The compressed air from thereservoir is conveyed, by means of a delivery-pipe 20 Fig. 1, to theengine, which is to be driven by the expansive power of the compressedair or gas,

Brackets a on the plate A provide bearings I for a horizontal shaft to,which is rotated in any suitable manner-as, for instance, by beltingfrom a suitable source of power (not shown) passed around a pulley a onthe shaft, the latter having fast upon it aworm a (best shown in Fig.8,) in mesh with a worm-gear a, fast on a vertical shaft a, supported bysuitable bearings (not shown) upon the framework and extended up forsome distance above the head of the main frame and Weighted at its upperend, as at A block a is secured, as by set-screws 12, to the shaft nearits upper end and pivotally connected at a Fig. 1, withoppositely-extended yokes e, to which are secured, preferably,horizontallyextended arms 6', each provided at or near its outer endwith two depending hangers e (2 rigidly connected at their upper ends tothe arm 6' by the T-couplings c tightly fitting the arm 6, the lowerends of the hangers being provided with journal-boxes e for a shaft 6provided with a wheel e to travel on the circular track A. Between eachpair of couplings c the hubfof a fly-wheel F is rotatably mounted on thearm 0, the hub being provided with a sheave f, connected by a band orother suitable flexible connection f with a larger sheave 6 fast on theshaft e. The two fly-wheels F are diametrically opposite each other, aswill be clear from an inspection of the drawings, and the rotationof'the shaft (1 will, through the worm and wormgear, rotate the verticalshaft a to thereby cause the arms 6 and the parts carried thereby torotate bodily around the shaft a? as a center. As the wheels 6 are thusmade to travel over the track A they will be rotated, and the rotationof the shafts (2 thus effected will be transmitted through the flexibleconnections f to the fly-wheels F, so that the latter will not onlyrotate bodily about the vertical center of the apparatus, but they arealso rotated on their own axes, the direction of axial rotation being in'the direction of bodily travel of said wheels. These fly-wheels serveto equalize the motion of the apparatus and to prevent jerks in itsaction.

The head 0 of each of the compressing-cylinders is socketed to receivethe shank g of a roll-carrier g, (shown most clearly in Fig. 4,)

said carrier having upturned ears 9 g to re-' ceive between them thepivot stud or axle g of an antifriction-roll 9 the inner faces of theears being flared at their upper ends. A gyratory annular track G restsupon and is supported by the several rolls g the latter being arrangedradially to the shaft a and held in such position by set-screws 15, Fig.4, I having designated the track as a gyratory track, for the reasonthat it describes a gymtory movement, as will be described, the risingand falling of the several carrier-rolls g corresponding to thegyrations of the track. The inner face of the track is flanged at itsupper and lower edges, as at g 9 Fig. 2,

. and on such inner face of the track travels the secondary actuator H,the primary actuator of the apparatus being the motive power whichoperates to rotate the shaft 0.. The secondary actuator is shown as ahollow drum rotatably mounted on an arm-h, pivotallyconnected at itsinner end by a yoke h to the vertical shaft a the outer end of theinclined arm h being herein shown as provided with a depending arm hprovided with a cross-piece h on which additional weights, as I-I may behung, if desired, to increase the power of the secondary actuator H.

It will be manifest by reference to Fig. 3 that the gyratory track andthe carrier-'rolls g therefor are within the fixed track A, so that saidcarrier-rolls may rise and fall and the track G gyrate withoutinterference by the fixed track A, and referring to Fig. 3 it will beseen that the lateral arms 6, which carry the fly-wheels F, are always afixed angular distance from the arm h of the secondary actuator byreason of their several connections with the vertical shaft 06.

The hollow drum His shown for convenience as made in two halves, withtheir closed. ends outward, and I have herein shown a heavy metal sphereH (see full lines, Fig. 1,) preferably solid, as inclosed in the drumand free to move therein, the object of this construction being to get aheavy actuator, but to bring the main portion of the weight below thecenter ofrotation h and as near as possible to the gyratory track G. Byvarying the size of the sphere H the effective weight of the actuatorcan be varied according to circumstances. If desired, the drum may beprovided with one or more internal annular compartments, in each ofwhich a spherical weight may be placed. The flanges g and g serve toprevent dis .placement of the actuator H, the inner face of the flange 9being beveled to correspond with the inclination of the periphery of thedrum.

In order to prevent the weight of the actuator from tipping the track G,and thereby lifting it from off the carrier-roll farthest removed fromthis secondary actuator, I provide a retaining device comprising adetentwheel M, rotatably mounted on an .arm m, connected with the shafta bya coupling m, Fig. 7, the arms m and hbeing somewhat less than onehundred and eighty degrees apart, as herein shown, said wheel Mtraveling on the gyratory track and maintaining the latter seated on itscarrier-rolls by virtue of the weight M ,carried by theoutwardly-extended end of the arm m. Between the secondary actuator andthe track-retaining device described a second arm n is connected by acoupling a with the vertical shaft c said arm also having a wheel N totravel on the gyratory track in advance of the secondary actuator andweighted, as at N Fig. 3, the two arms m and n being retained fromlateral displacement by a chain or other flexible connection 20, Figs. 2and 3, attached at its ends to the opposite couplings e as herein shown,and to the arms m and n at or near their extremities, such flexibleconnection in no wise interfering with the vertical movement of the armsduring the gyrations of the track G.

The arrow 25 in Fig. 3 indicates the direction of rotation of the shafta and the parts connected therewiththat is to say, the radial arms 6, m,n, and h and the several parts carried by said arms-it being rememberedthat the secondary actuator H, the track-retaining wheel M, and thedepressing wheel N are all moved bodilyin the same direction,while theyrotate about their own axes.

The point of contact of the secondary actuator and the track G is neverat any instant at the lowest point of such track, but a little behindit, so that as the secondary actuator is moved in its horizontal path bythe rotation of the shaft a the weight of said actuator on the tracktends to give a gyratory motion to the latter, which latter motion istransmitted through the several carrier-rolls g to thecompression-cylinders one after another, and the compression of the airis effected in a very economical and uniform manner.

The friction between the secondary actuator and the gyratory track andbetween the latter and the supporting-rolls therefor is rollingfriction, and therefore the power of the primary actuator required toovercome friction is reduced to a minimum, so that the power thus madeeffective is utilized in effecting the bodily movement of thesecondary'actuator and the other rotating parts of the apparatus. Inother words, the constant tendency of the actuator is to find the lowestpoint of the track; but by means of the gymtory movement of the trackthis lowest point is always maintained in advance of the point ofcontact of the secondary actuator.

The depressor N operates to assist the sec ondary actuator or increaseits effectiveness, it being of course manifest that the action ofgravity through the actuator serves to depress one com pression-cylinderafter another as the actuator His moved through its horizontal path oftravel.

My invention is not restricted to the particular number of compressingdevices herein shown; but it is requisite that there be an even nu mbersubstantially radially arranged and coupled together in pairs, so thatthe compressing action of one of a pairtakes place during the suctionmovement of its fellow.

The lower ends of the compressing-cylinders are made open or apertured,as has been described, in order to allow free ingress or egress of airto the cylinder on the lower side of the piston at each stroke.

I have not herein shown in detail any special means for making thevarious joints and other portions of the apparatus air-tight, asanysuitable packing means may be employed.

The sleeve h on the arm his provided with the socket member h of aball-and-socket joint, the ball member being formed on or secured to oneend of a brace-rod member h made in two parts and connected by aturnbuckle h, the other member 71 of the bracerod being connected by aball-and-socket joint h with one of the couplings e of the equalizer. Bymeans of the turnbuckle the rod can be tightened as needed and theactuator H is maintained in proper angular relation with the equalizer.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent,

1. In an apparatus of the class described, compressors the movablemembers of which are connected in pairs to reciprocate alternately, agyratory annular track supported by the movable members of thecompressors and disposed in an inclined plane, a weighted wheel locatedto travel upon said gyratory track, means for supporting and operatingthe wheel, a second weighted wheel mounted to travel upon said track,and means whereby said second weighted wheel is held in working positionto prevent the gyratory track from tilting.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, compressors the movablemembers of which are connected in pairs to reciprocate alternately, avertical shaft having two op positel ydisposed arms, a shaft providedwith a weighted wheel adapted to travel upon said gyratory track, twoweighted wheels flexibly connected with each other and also with saidlastmentioned shaft and to one of said arms.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, a main frame comprising abase-plate, upright standards, and a head carried by the latter, areceiving-chamber on the base-plate, a series of compressors radiallyarranged about said chamber, each compressor including a cylinder and avalved piston therein, a fixed, hollow piston-rod therefor communicating with the receiving-chamber, and a vertically movable cylinder havingan inletvalve, a rocking arm mounted on a fixed pivot and connecting thecylinders of opposite compressors, a series of bifurcated membersconnected to the upper ends of the cylinders, and provided withsupporting devices between the branches thereof, a gyratory, annulartrack adapted to rest upon said supporting devices, an actuator adaptedto roll upon said track, means to move said actuator bodily in asubstantially horizontal, circular path, whereby the weight of saidactuator will operate to depress the cylinders one after another, andmeans-to retain the upper portion of the track in place.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, compressors including movablemembers, a gyratory annular track adapted to actuate the movable membersof the compressors and disposed in an inclined plane, a shaft providedwith oppositely-disposed arms having equalizing-wheels, a weightedmember adapted to travel upon the gyratory track and connected to one ofsaid arms and also to said shaft, means to prevent the track fromtipping, and means to cause the rotation of the equalizing-wheels duringthe travel of said weighted member.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of compressorsdisposed in a circle, each compressor including avertically-reciprocatory cylinder having a fixed piston, a comm onreceiver connected with and adapted to receive compressed air from saidcompressors, the cylinders of opposite pairs being connected toreciprocate alternately, an inclined annular track resting upon theupper ends of said cylinders and also a flange having a beveled innerface, a vertical shaft, means to rotate said vertical shaft, a rotativeactuating memberconnected with said shaft and having a beveled peripheryadapted to roll against the beveled face of said flange, and having apreponderance of Weight below its axis of rotation, an equalizingmechanism connected with said shaft including two diametricallyoppositefiy-wheels, and means for rotating the fiy-wheels during the travel ofsaid rotative member.

6'. In an apparatus of the class described, compressors the movablemembers of which are connected in pairs to reciprocate alternately, agyratory, annular track mounted on the movable members of thecompressors, and lying in an inclined plane, means to impart gyratorymovement to said track, a fixed, horizontal track, and an equalizerrotatable thereupon, said equalizer including one or more fiy-wheelsrotatable about a horizontal axis, and means to rotate said equalizerbodily and also to rotate the fly wheel or wheels.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a series of air-compressingdevices, a receiver with which they are connected, a gyratory annulartrack supported by the movable members of said devices, an actuatoradapted to move upon and gyrate the track, a shaft provided withoppositely-disposed arms carrying fly-wheels, a second shaft connectedto the first-mentioned shaft and supporting said actuator, an adjustableconnection between said second shaft and one of the arms, and means torotate said fly-wheels during the travel of said actuator.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, a series of compressorsarranged in a circle,

the movable members of said compressors being connected in pairs toreciprocate alternately, an annular, gyratory track supported by themovable members and lying in an inclined plane, a centrally-disposed,vertical shaft, an actuator connected therewith and adapted to roll onand to effect gyratory movement of the track, the lowest point in saidtrack being always maintained in advance of lo the point of contact ofthe actuator and the track, and an auxiliary roll adapted to travel onthe track and in advance of the lowest point of the latter, connectionsbetween said roll and the vertical shaft, and means to rotate the latterto thereby move the actuator and auxiliary roll in asubstantiallyhorizontal, circular path.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, a main frame having acircular, horizontal head, a fixed annular track mounted there- 'upon, acentrally-disposed, vertical shaft, a frame connected therewith andcarrying diametrically-oppositefly-wheels mounted to rotate onhorizontal axes, rolls on said frame to travel on the track, connectionsbetween said rolls and fly-wheels to rotate the latter on their axes, aplurality of compressors, ea'ch comprising a fixed and a movable member,the latter being adapted to reciprocate verti- 3o cally in bearings inthe head, connections between the movable members of opposite pairs ofcompressors, whereby they will be reciprocated alternately, a gyratory,annular track mounted on the upper ends of the movable 5 members and thecompressors, and lying in an inclined plane, and a heavy actuating-rolladapted to travel upon the gyratory track and gyrate the same, andtherethrough operate the compressors one after another, a connectionbetween said roll and the vertical shaft, whereby the roll is bodilymoved in a circular, horizontal path as the shaft is rotated, and meansto rotate said shaft.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, aseries of air-compressingdevices, a gyratory track cooperative with the air-compressing devices,a weighted actuator mounted upon said gyratory track, a shaft providedwith oppositely-disposed arms carrying fly-wheels, a support for saidactuator connected to said shaft and also to one of said arms, ahorizontal circular track located outside of the firstmentioned track,rotative driving means adapted to travel upon and to be operated by saidlast-mentioned track, and connections between said rotative drivingmeans and the fly-wheels for operating the latter.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, a series of air-compressingdevices, a gyratory track cooperative with the air-compressing devices,a weighted actuator mounted upon said gyratory track, a shaft providedwith oppositely-disposed arms carrying fly-wheels, a support for saidactuator connected to said shaft and alsoto one of said arms,ahorizontal circular track located outside of the firstmentioned track,rotative driving means adapted to travel upon and to be operated by saidlast-mentioned track, and connections between said rotative drivingmeans and the fly-wheels for operating the latter, two weighted armslocated at relatively-remote points from the weighted actuator andserving to prevent the tipping of the gyratory track, and flexibleconnections between said weighted arms and the first-mentioned arms.

12. In an apparatus of the class described,

a series of air-compressing devices, connected in pairs to compressalternately, a common receiver connected with said devices, an axi- 8oally-rotatable, drum-like actuator movable in a circular, horizontalpath, a spherical weight loose in the actuator, a gyratory trackinterposed between the compressing devices and the actuator and on whichthe latter rolls, means to move said actuator bodily to thereby gyratethe track and operate the compressing devices, one or more weighteddevices mounted for movement upon the track at a point or points remotefrom said actuator, 0 and means whereby said weighted device or deviceswill be caused to move in unison with the actuator.

.13. In an apparatus of the class described,

a series of air-compressing devices, an annular gyratory track mountedon the upper ends of the movable members of said compressing devices, avertical shaft extending through said track and provided above the samewith oppositely-disposed arms, a second shaft conroo nected to saidfirst-mentioned shaft and also to one of said oppositely-disposed arms,and provided with, a weighted actuator adapted to travel on said track,a second pair of shafts connected to the vertical shaft and each havinga wheel adapted to roll upon the gyratory track at a point remote fromsaid actuator, flexible connections between said pair of shafts and alsobetween the same and said oppositely-disposed arms, governors carried:10 at the ends of said oppositely-disposed arms,

and means for operating said governors during the travel on saidactuator.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

- KNUT O. B. TEXTORIUS.

Witnesses:

GEO. W. GREGORY, JOHN J. HOWARD.

